Leadership Currency with Dr. Doug McKinley

Life is very much like a river. In this reflective podcast Dr. McKinley explains how real life happens “in the river” where the current is constantly flowing. Sometimes we deny, avoid, or opt out of that reality and choose to be stuck on the riverbank. Listen and learn how to stay in the current. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us   Visit Doug's Website: https://ww...

It is important to realize that your life matters to someone. Inspired by a movie called Simon Birch, this podcast from Doug reminds leaders that purpose can guide life decisions, shape goals, and offer a sense of direction and meaning. Purpose provides the motivation to get up every day and embrace the work. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us   Visit Doug's Websit...

Why do people keep talking about the same concepts—like trust, resilience, clarity—as if saying them out loud enough might make them become real? In this episode, Dr. McKinley invites leaders to do some self-searching by tuning into their own “echo chamber”—the repeated themes, values, and questions that may reveal blind spots, hidden fears, or deep aspirations. With tools like the Echo Inventory,...

In our final summer series episode of Meetings Matter, Dr. McKinley shares that thought leaders in psychology and organizational health consistently highlight that when team members don’t feel seen, heard, or valued, it leads to disengagement, burnout, and turnover—and ultimately undermines both performance and culture.  Lead meetings in a way that members truly feel they are playing a positive pa...

In this 7th episode of our summer series, Meetings Matter, Dr. McKinley shares that meeting and leadership experts strongly condemn “throwing people under the bus” or backstabbing behaviors in professional settings. These actions are seen as toxic, trust-breaking, and deeply damaging to team cohesion and organizational health.  Learning to be vulnerable and accountable goes a long way in meetings...

In this 6th episode of Meetings Matter on the Leadership Currency podcast, Dr. McKinley shares why meeting and leadership experts generally discourage manipulative tactics like offering donuts or snacks to get people into a meeting under false pretenses—especially if it’s a bait-and-switch strategy. Meeting participants are more apt to be engaged when transparency is evident.  To Order Doug's...

In our 5th summer series episode of Meetings Matter, Dr. McKinley discusses why business meeting experts widely agree that monotone delivery and low energy can severely undercut a leader’s effectiveness—no matter how good the content is.    To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us  Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/  Receive a Free Leadership Resource: L...

In this 4th episode of Meetings Matter, we will focus on why top leadership experts across leadership, productivity, and organizational psychology emphasize intentional, disciplined use of time during business meetings. Join Dr. McKinley as he discusses the importance of setting clear expectations for meetings.  To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us  Visit Doug's Webs...

In this 3rd episode of our summer series, Dr. McKinley shares why top leadership consultants and communication experts overwhelmingly advise against using PowerPoint slides overloaded with text—especially if the presenter simply reads them aloud. Listen in to get some helpful meeting presentation tips to keep participants engaged.   To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us  V...

In this episode of Leadership Currency , we focus on the currency of meetings, specifically why meeting experts consistently advocate for having clear, intentional meeting agendas as a cornerstone of effective leadership and team productivity. Far from being just calendar fillers, meetings—when done well—can align teams, accelerate decision-making, and drive culture. Dr. McKinley explores why effe...

Dr. McKinley invites podcast designer, Marie Geneviève Pawlak, Founder and CEO of Prime Alchemy, to the podcast today. She recently created an episodic radio podcast that offers a tongue-in-cheek exploration of bad meetings, shady leaders, and suspicious meeting techniques. She shares her meeting insights and suggestions which helps set up the vision for Leadership Currency’s summer series: Meetin...

On the podcast today, Dr. McKinley invites Dr. Naftali Kaminski, a physician scientist who explains the cultural differences in leadership. Most know that culture is a real tricky subject to study, learn, and shift. They discuss workplace culture but also expand into what it is like to train in one country, move to another and then lead within that new culture. Dr. Kaminski has several leadership...

In this episode, three seasoned entrepreneurs sit down for a candid conversation about the real deal behind the entrepreneurial mindset. Is it a superpower—or a source of stress? They unpack the drive, risk tolerance, creativity, and chaos that comes with building something from nothing. Tune in for an honest look at the pros and cons of thinking like an entrepreneur—whether you’re deep in the hus...

You’ve heard it before—get the right people on the bus and in the right seats. But how do you actually do that in today’s fast-paced workplace? In this episode, Dr. McKinley and Jonathan Gulley break down author Jim Collins’ iconic metaphor on how leaders find the right talent and place those people into roles where they can truly shine. Whether you’re building a startup team or leading a large or...

I believe leadership and the game of golf share many principles. Most may be obvious but one in particular has not been talked about enough. Some golf players don’t care much about the game itself so they casually engage with the sport. They are commonly referred to as “hackers.” This often leads to frustration for the other players, reflects poorly on the sport and its fans, and generally leaves...

Dr. McKinley continues his discussion with guest Hendre Coetzee who is a transformation coach and co-author of Shiftability. In part one of this interview the focus was on how to reframe rejection as a possible currency. In part 2, the discussion turns to some assumptions that are made about a leader’s expectations and how that impacts their ability to shift from irrational narratives about themse...

We all face rejection. Leaders are not exempt and often navigate rejection in real time. Dr. McKinley’s guest today is Hendre Coetzee who navigates this personal and organizational dynamic frequently with leaders from around the world. By understanding that rejection is a part of life and not a reflection of their worth, leaders can stay resilient and continue striving towards their goals. Listen...

Why do salespeople often get a bad rap? Dr. McKinely’s podcast guest today is James Hoard, a seasoned sales coach, manager and author. James is currently in a leadership role managing sales leaders as well as consulting companies on developing a culture of sales leadership. The conversation quickly turned to the truth about sales:  we are all sales people. If you don’t share in this observation yo...

There is an old saying, “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still” Put simply, the goal of coaching is to support a positive behavioral change in the coachee. Coaching with compassion is an approach that perceives someone’s needs, identifies with them, and actively enhances their well-being. Coaching with compliance is instructing someone to act the way a coach or their organi...

Our podcast guest today is Dr. Gary Desir who holds an extensive leadership role in one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. By his own choice, Dr. Desir is stepping down from this role to continue doing what he believes he was born to do. He is at peace with this change and in fact feels very positive about his future. This interview was conducted in the final months of his...

There are many “rags to riches” stories out there. Today’s podcast guest prefers to call his story a meteoric adventure. Dr. McKinley interviews emerging leader, Norberto Orellana, who has experienced unusual success after overcoming extreme poverty and episodic homelessness.  Listen in to Norberto’s unique self-designed visualization technique. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Ma...

Have you ever wondered how people can get themselves into so many unusual situations? Where there are people there is often some sort of ‘messiness’ taking place. Therefore leaders require a sort of sensibility that lies outside of their orderly world of tactics and financials. Listen in as Dr. McKinley talks about this unique sensibility needed in a leader’s world where much is unknown and uncont...

Among the numerous things that leaders need to focus on, wellbeing and resiliency are definitely near the top of the list. Dr. Ania Jastreboff, a leading expert in obesity and weight management, joins Dr. McKinley on today’s podcast.  She is an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Obesity is often overlooked as a precursor to depression, apathy, and burnout. Duri...

The Leadership Currency Podcast is celebrating a major milestone—200 episodes! In this special edition, we’re looking back at three fan-favorite episodes from the past 100. Tune in for a highlight reel of the most powerful moments, with 10-minute segments from each standout conversation. Don’t miss this chance to revisit the insights that resonated most with our listeners!

Sports psychologist, Dr. Fayyadh Yusuf, joins Dr. McKinley on the podcast today. Dr. Yusuf also serves as assistant professor in the School of Medicine. Listen in to this lively conversation between two formally trained psychologists and their work with leaders in the fields of medicine and professional sports.